What is the hospital like?

Will I have my own bedroom?

Yes - the majority of our rooms are single bedded ensuite.

All rooms have locks to ensure your privacy and dignity. Staff will not normally enter your room without first knocking and being invited in.

Can I go out when I want to?

Cheadle Royal and Middleton St George Hospitals have spacious and pleasant landscaped grounds and gardens. Your key worker will plan leave from the ward with you. If you are detained under the Mental Health Act, there will be some restrictions on what you can do. However, all of our secure facilities have external space.

Will my friends and family be able to visit?

Friends families and carers are actively encouraged to visit.

Free car parking is available and public transport links are close by.

Each ward has visiting arrangements displayed.

Public pay phones are available to keep in touch with family.

Is there support available for my family?

Formal family support groups are organised on some wards.

Others operate an 'open channel' of telephone or face to face communication with families and friends.

Families are urged to tell us what they think either verbally or through a satisfaction survey.

What can I bring with me?

Personal possessions to make your stay comfortable are encouraged.

On admission, your personal property will be logged. Certain items may be removed and stored for health and safety reasons and promptly returned to you on your discharge.

Some items are not allowed - this will be advised

What is there to do?

What you will be able to do will depend upon which unit you stay in. However, the range of things to do includes:-

• Television lounges with satellite TV
• Quiet lounges
• Games rooms
• Gyms
• Pool and table tennis
• Computer rooms
• School facilities (young people's service)
• Organised walks
• Art classes
• Outside recreational areas with football, basketball etc
• Barbecues during the summer months
• Supervised trips to the cinema, theatre, local swimming pools
• Chill-out relaxation room
• Social events on the wards
• Film nights

Who will look after me?

You will be allocated a key worker during your stay and they will introduce you to the rest of the team which may include

• Consultant psychiatrist
• Staff grade doctor
• Registered Nurse
• Psychologist
• Counsellor
• Therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Gym instructor
• Teacher
• Family therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Artist
• Support worker
• Nursing assistant

What is the food like?

A menu will be provided in advance of meals and you will be asked to complete these so that you have your meal of choice. Food theme nights eg Italian and curry nights are very popular and in some services you will be encouraged to prepare your own meals.

What if I am admitted under a section of the Mental Health Act?

You can be admitted to hospital either voluntarily or formally

• under section 2 for up to 28 days,
• under section 3 for up to six months initially
• and under section 4 for up to 72 hours in an emergency.

Full details will be explained to you before your admission and during your stay, as the status changes.

You can apply to be discharged from a section of the Mental Health Act and this will be heard by a mental health review tribunal.

Who pays for my care?

Most of the patients we treat are funded by the National Health Service. As part of your admissions process, the hospital will work with the relevant referring and purchasing bodies to agree funding. Admission to our services usually occurs only after all the paperwork is in place.

In some circumstances, patients may choose to self pay or use insurance policies to pay for treatment if their policy covers such care. Self funding is more common in services such as Eating Disorders and Therapy Services

How can I let my views be known?

A member of staff is always available to speak to.

An independent advocate visits regularly to speak to you about any aspect of your stay.

Community meetings are held on each ward.

A survey questionnaire is available for you to complete at any time during your stay.

Medication

Medication can often be an important part of your treatment programme and you will be asked to give consent to any medication and treatment you receive. Medicine information leaflets are available on the ward.